Spending 30-plus years with the Angels, Rays manager Joe Maddon developed a certain opinion of the Dodgers, saying it was a big deal going against them, even in instructional league play. "I used to really pound on our guys, you've got to beat the Dodgers," Maddon said. "They have the whitest uniforms in history, and their tradition and all the stuff about them."

Maddon's view of Dodger Stadium

Joe Maddon has a much more reverential opinion on Dodger Stadium, calling it "iconic." He especially likes how it is set in Chavez Ravine, and he came up with quite an interesting comparison. "I go to the Vatican for the very first time, I'm looking up at all those hills and I think, 'God, it looks like Chavez Ravine,' except for the statues," Maddon said. "So I think for a long time the Dodgers have benefited from this Catholic component."

Stat of the day

0-for-17

Roberto Hernandez, Rays RHP, who starts today, as a hitter. He has struck out 10 times.